A new breeding facility for the endangered Grassland Earless Dragon was today launched at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve following the arrival of 6 dragons from Melbourne Zoo.
Images and footage of the dragons is available here: www.dropbox.com/sh/q44oyc9lj313ouo/AACseWeSZeozHgPhKF18EpZAa?dl=0
Minister for the Environment Rebecca Vassarotti and Minister for Land Management Mick Gentleman formally opened the facility and thanked Melbourne Zoo for their support in establishing the colony and sharing their expertise in conserving this important species.
"Australia is facing an extinction crisis. If we are to halt and reverse the damage we're doing to our natural environment, we must challenge ourselves, and test and trial approaches to tackle extinction rates and re-introduce native fauna back into the wild," Minister Vassarotti said.
"We need action at every level - from strong national environmental laws and clear national plans for threatened species to concerted local action. The ACT Government understands the urgency of this work and has taken proactive steps to conserve habitat and protect our threatened species, such as eastern bettong and the grassland earless dragon.
"This facility and breeding colony will be critical to the long-term survival of the grassland earless dragon, which is found only in the ACT region.
"This colony will be an insurance population to guard against extinction and provide a source of animals for reintroduction to the wild. They will also provide opportunities for research aimed at conserving and managing this species in the face of threats such as predators, habitat destruction and climate change.
"We are pleased to be partnering with the University of Canberra, which will do the genome sequencing to assist in breeding the dragons, as well as other behavioural, genetic and ecological research."
Minister Gentleman said the $60,000 purpose-built breeding facility and specially designed quarantine capacity could house up to 80 dragons.
"This controlled, biosecure facility will keep diseases out and provide optimal conditions for the dragons' wellbeing," Minister Gentleman said.
"This builds on our other successful breeding programs such as the Brush Tailed Rock Wallabies who delight visitors on the Wallaby Walk.
"Each dragon will have its own space with everything it needs, such as a burrow, grasses to climb on and a basking platform. Larger outdoor predator-proof ring tanks will allow ecologists to observe the Grassland Earless Dragons in a more natural environment.
"Melbourne Zoo and the University of Canberra have pioneered captive breeding of Grassland Earless Dragons over many years and have passed their specialist knowledge to the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve threatened species team.
"The ACT Government is providing $2.1 million over three years for the initial stage of the project, which included large-scale landscape work to restore and re-connect habitat to help Grassland Earless Dragons and other grassland species survive in the landscape."
As stated by Melbourne Zoo Ectotherm Keeper Rory Keenan:
"Melbourne Zoo and Zoos Victoria are proud to be part of this important, collaborative project helping to ensure the recovery of this species."
"It's so great to have a new captive insurance population of Canberra Grassland Earless Dragons at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve to help ensure a bright future for this species."
As stated by Professor Stephen Sarre at University of Canberra:
"The University of Canberra has been collaborating with the ACT Government for over 15 years in studies of the Grassland Earless Dragon and established the first captive colony. We are very keen to support the new facility at the Tidbinbilla facility in whatever way we can."
"The University of Canberra has played, and continues to play, a lead role in behavioural, genetic and ecological research of the Canberra Grassland Earless Dragon."
